Jeannie Leavitt

Jeannie Leavitt is a major general in the United States Air Force and a pioneering command pilot. She became the service's first female fighter pilot in 1993 and later the first woman to command a fighter wing. Leavitt has held significant leadership roles within the Air Education and Training Command and has flown combat missions in multiple conflicts, including Operation Enduring Freedom and Operation Iraqi Freedom.

Early life and education

Jeannie Leavitt was born in St. Louis, Missouri. She attended the University of Texas at Austin, where she earned a Bachelor of Science degree in Aerospace engineering and was commissioned through the Air Force Reserve Officer Training Corps program in 1992. She furthered her education with a Master of Science in Aeronautics and Astronautics from Stanford University and a Master of Arts in National Security and Strategic Studies from the Naval War College. Her academic background provided a strong foundation for her technical and strategic military career.

Military career

Following commissioning, Leavitt entered Undergraduate Pilot Training at Sheppard AFB in Texas. In 1993, upon completion of training on the A-10 Thunderbolt II, she was recognized as the first female fighter pilot in the U.S. Air Force. She served as an A-10 instructor pilot at Davis-Monthan AFB in Arizona. Her operational assignments included flying the A-10 and the F-15E Strike Eagle, with combat deployments supporting Operation Southern Watch over Iraq, Operation Enduring Freedom in Afghanistan, and Operation Iraqi Freedom.

Command assignments

Leavitt's command career began with leadership of the 333d Fighter Squadron at Seymour Johnson AFB in North Carolina. She subsequently commanded the 4th Fighter Wing at Seymour Johnson Air Force Base, making history as the first woman to command a U.S. Air Force fighter wing. She later commanded the 97th Air Mobility Wing at Altus AFB in Oklahoma. In 2021, she assumed command of the Air Force Recruiting Service at Joint Base San Antonio-Randolph. Her most senior command to date is as the Commander of the Air Education and Training Command (AETC), headquartered at Joint Base San Antonio-Randolph, where she oversees all U.S. Air Force and U.S. Space Force recruiting, training, and education.

Awards and decorations

Major General Leavitt's service has been recognized with numerous military awards. These include the Defense Superior Service Medal, the Legion of Merit with oak leaf cluster, the Bronze Star Medal, and the Defense Meritorious Service Medal. She has also received the Meritorious Service Medal with three oak leaf clusters, the Air Medal with three oak leaf clusters, the Aerial Achievement Medal, and the Air Force Commendation Medal. Her operational service is denoted by the Afghanistan Campaign Medal, the Iraq Campaign Medal, and the Global War on Terrorism Expeditionary Medal.

Personal life

Jeannie Leavitt is married to a fellow retired Air Force officer. The couple has two children. Throughout her career, she has been a prominent advocate for mentoring and professional development, often speaking on leadership and diversity within the Department of Defense. Her trailblazing path has inspired many in military aviation and beyond.

Category:United States Air Force generals Category:American military personnel of the War in Afghanistan Category:American military personnel of the Iraq War Category:United States Air Force pilots Category:People from St. Louis Category:Living people